Hokage: You Call This Guy the Savior?!

"Become Hokage?" Neji suddenly stopped in his tracks, a mocking smile appearing on his face. He then looked toward the surrounding spectators and shouted, "Do you not know that those who end up becoming Hokage have already been decided long ago? No matter how hard most people work, they can never reach that step."

As soon as these words were spoken, the stands erupted into a flurry of whispers and heated discussion.

Even Hiruzen could not help but raise his eyebrows.

"Are you trying to say that you're the one who can become Hokage? Talent can't decide everything!" Naruto completely missed the subtext Neji was trying to convey.

"No, of course I couldn't become Hokage. From the moment I was born, my fate was already sealed. No matter how hard I try, it is impossible for me to become Hokage."

"..." Naruto was stunned, momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

"Naruto, do you know how extravagant your dream sounds to me?" Neji spoke as if mocking himself, yet there was a hint of envy in his tone, his voice layered with complex emotions.

"Don't act like you know everything and jump to conclusions! It's precisely because you're too afraid to have such a dream that you'll never become Hokage!" Naruto retorted loudly.

"Then ask everyone here: who believes that Leaf Village would ever let someone like me become Hokage? Who dares to say it!"

At these words, the crowd fell into a deathly silence.

Naruto looked around, as if afraid that his own resolve might be shaken, and then, ignoring everything else, he charged toward Neji, swinging his fists wildly.

Neji could have dodged this sloppy Turtle Fist Style with his eyes closed. He didn't even bother to counterattack, simply continuing to speak his mind.

"Naruto, you are far too naive. Someone like me from the Branch House must unconditionally obey the orders of the Main House from birth. So, even if I have great talent and perform brilliantly, no one would ever choose me as Hokage. Because if they did, the Leaf Village would become the Hyuga Clan's Leaf Village, not everyone's."

Those who knew a little about the situation of the Hyuga Clan agreed with Neji's words. It was absolutely impossible for Leaf Village to choose someone from the Hyuga Branch House as Hokage; doing so would only invite opposition from every other ninja clan in the village.

No, perhaps even the Main House of the Hyuga Clan would not want to see a 'slave' climb above them, even if only in name.

Just then, Naruto suddenly split into two, attacking from front and back simultaneously. Neji's attention had been focused on the audience's reaction, and by the time he realized what was happening, he could only react in a rush, attacking the one in front.

Puff!

Wrong, it was a Shadow Clone!

He was struck hard on the back of his head by Naruto.

"You don't have to listen to their orders, you know! Why don't you just rebel?" Having landed a hit, Naruto finally calmed down and stood there panting.

Neji turned around. Due to the impact of the attack, the strap holding his forehead protector had loosened, and the Leaf Village headband slid down from his forehead, revealing an X-shaped Cursed Seal.

This sight made everyone in the stands widen their eyes, staring intently.

It was the first time many of them had ever seen the Caged Bird Seal.

Chapter 64: The Fate of the Hyuga Branch House

One must know that every member of the Hyuga Branch House viewed this mark as a disgrace and never dared to reveal it in front of outsiders, making it a rare sight indeed.

They hadn't expected to see it today, and on a rising genius at that. They would certainly have plenty to talk about over tea later.

As for the things Neji had said, they didn't cause even the slightest ripple in their hearts. How miserable the Hyuga Branch House was—what did that have to do with them?

"You say 'rebel'?" Neji pointed to his forehead, enunciating every word. "Do you know what this is? This is the Caged Bird Seal. I was designated as a member of the Hyuga Branch House the moment I was born, and at age four, this seal—which can never be removed—was planted on me. From that moment on, my life and death have been forever controlled by the Hyuga Main House!"

Instead of covering the seal, Neji held his head high, deliberately letting everyone see it clearly.

Did he not feel shame?

No, he was simply enduring. To complete his plan, this step had long been part of his design.

As he spoke, he pointed his finger toward the head of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Hiashi, in the stands. At that moment, everyone's gaze converged on Hiashi.

Was the Caged Bird not supposed to be a seal to prevent the secrets of the Byakugan from being stolen by enemies?

Was it not said to be a means of protecting Branch House members from being targeted on the battlefield?

Why was what Neji said so different from what they knew?

Hiashi remained expressionless, as if he didn't care at all about being the center of attention.

Was Neji saying these things to explain them to Naruto?

Of course not.

He simply wanted to expose the ugly side of the Hyuga Clan in such a public setting, laying it bare in blood to trade for the rebirth of the Branch House!

Come on!

Hyuga Hiashi!

Activate your damn curse!

Make my life worse than death!

I have defied you so openly—shouldn't you be furious?

Let everyone see how the Main House oppresses the Branch House, and just how vicious this Caged Bird truly is!

When the whole world knows about this, will you still be able to withstand the pressure and continue to enslave the Branch House under the condemnation of everyone?

If I can change the fate of the Branch House, I, Neji, am willing to trade my life for it!

"I... I don't know what kind of conflict you have between your Branch House and Main House. I just wanted to vent some frustration for Hinata. I will never allow you to call her a dead weight, you jerk!"

Naruto realized his stance on the Hokage issue seemed untenable, so he immediately changed the subject.

Neji looked at Naruto with a blank expression. After a long while, he spoke with a calm face.

"Fine, it seems you don't know much about our Hyuga Clan. Since that's the case, I shall tell you all about it—about the hateful fate that plagues the Hyuga."

With that, he began to recount, in an unnervingly calm tone, the events surrounding his father, Hizashi Hyuga, and everything that transpired on Hinata's birthday. He spoke of how Hiashi used their identical appearances to make his own brother bear his sins and die in his stead.

He grew particularly emotional when describing how Hiashi used the Cursed Seal to torture his father for merely showing a look of disrespect toward Hinata. He could not help but shed tears, moving countless spectators in the audience.

Of course, most people were simply interested in the gossip surrounding the Hyuga Clan; they did not truly empathize with Neji's plight.

You were born into the Hyuga Clan, never having to worry about food or clothing for your entire life—why should I feel sorry for you?

How pretentious!

As for the high-ranking officials and nobles, though they sat there with teary eyes as if they were filled with compassion, they would likely forget it all the moment they turned away, using it only as fodder for post-meal conversation.

"This Caged Bird Seal doesn't just control a person's life and death; it controls our Byakugan. Because of this, we of the Branch House can never hope to rebel against the Main House. From the day this Caged Bird was branded upon me, my future fate was already sealed! If I am forced to live this life along a predetermined path, then how am I any different from the dead?"

After a long while, Neji finally finished saying what he wanted to say. He felt a sense of lightness throughout his entire body, for his goal had been achieved.

It was a pity that Hiashi did not seem willing to kill this rebel in front of everyone; not being able to die a martyr was, in the end, a slight imperfection.

His gaze swept toward those sitting in the stands, a faint disappointment flickering in his eyes. The scene he had hoped to see never manifested; it seemed no one cared at all about the feelings of those in the Branch House.

He turned his gaze toward Keiichi. You could have actually won this bet. If I had died, Naruto would naturally have won, and your prophecy would have come true.

Since I am still alive, the one who loses is, in the end, you.

What a pity.

"I don't know how painful it is to lose a father, but if you blame everything on fate, then you are dead wrong!" Naruto refused to concede.

"Heh, truly stubborn to the end." Neji shook his head, though he wasn't particularly angry.

The true opponent in his eyes had never been Naruto, but the sinful clan behind him. He merely wanted to expose all that ugliness to the eyes of the world.

Of course, he could not concede to Naruto either. This battle had been under his control from start to finish; it was just that Naruto hadn't realized it yet.

Having said his piece, Neji did not intend to drag things out any longer. He took the initiative to attack Naruto, wanting to end this meaningless fight.

In mere moments, Naruto was unable to parry the storm of attacks. His fundamentals were simply too poor; even when competing with his strongest techniques, he was no match for his opponent.

Perhaps he had an advantage in chakra volume, but every time Neji struck one of his pressure points, his gathered chakra dissipated, and his slight chance of victory dwindled along with it.

"You said so much, but I think you've just surrendered to fate! Let me tell you, I am someone who will never surrender to fate. I am going to defeat you and prove it to you!"

Covered in blood, Naruto climbed up from the ground once more, pointing shakily at Neji as he issued his declaration.

Neji met him with a cold gaze. Perhaps for you, Naruto, you have the capital to defy fate, because although you have nothing, your heart and body are free.

But tell me, how is Neji Hyuga, bound within a cage, supposed to resist?

"Let's end this here. If you don't concede, I might not be able to control my strength next time. If I accidentally kill you, don't blame me." Neji assumed his starting stance, deciding to finish the fight with his most elegant technique.

On the other side, Naruto had reached his limit. He had no more chakra to squeeze out, and his stamina was waning due to massive blood loss.

He was swaying even without Neji needing to strike; he was holding his body up entirely by sheer willpower.

The alarm bells ringing in his body awakened the Nine-Tails sleeping within him. A single strand of fur detached from the beast's body, transforming into a wisp of Tailed Beast chakra that surged into Naruto.

I'm not helping you, kid. If you die, I'll have nowhere to sleep...

Chapter 65: Cage Confrontation (Part 1)

Naruto was desperately trying to squeeze out his last bit of chakra, but how could he do so when all his pressure points were sealed?

Yet, at that very moment, he suddenly felt a strange power inject itself into his dantian, then begin to circulate through his meridians. The previously sealed pressure points were breached with a single surge, and he easily condensed a new supply of chakra.

He was all too familiar with this feeling—wasn't it just like when he practiced the Shadow Clone technique?

Thanks, Stinky Fox!

From the perspective of Neji's Byakugan, he was shocked to see a surge of chakra that didn't belong to Naruto erupting within him, rapidly spreading through his entire meridian system.

The heavy, malevolent intent contained within it seemed to condense into a terrifying beast in mid-air, causing Neji to break out in a cold sweat.

What is going on?

It's as if he's a completely different person!

This scene drew gasps from countless people. Just when everyone thought Neji had the win in the bag, Naruto suddenly exploded with a terrifying aura that made people shudder.

Then, Naruto moved—his speed so fast it was as if he had opened the Eight Inner Gates. Even Neji couldn't keep up with his rhythm for a moment.

His Byakugan couldn't track the opponent's movements; he had only ever seen such a thing from his teacher, Might Guy.

"Eight Trigrams Palms: Heavenly Spin!"

He could only use this technique of absolute defense again and again to resist Naruto's relentless onslaught.

"What does it matter if you're Main House or Branch House? If you can't change the fate of the Hyuga Clan, then let me change it for you—when I become Hokage!"

The battle was decided in a single strike. Naruto remained standing, while Neji had collapsed; he no longer had the strength to perform the Heavenly Spin.

He gazed up at the blue sky and white clouds, Naruto's words echoing in his mind. More importantly, in that moment, he suddenly saw many things clearly.

Heh, Naruto...

Naruto of the Uzumaki Clan...

So that's how it is...

Now I understand everything...

He cast his gaze toward the direction where Keiichi was standing. So, was all of this within your calculations?

Then, what exactly do you intend to say to me next?

With his chakra bottomed out, he no longer had the strength to stand and could only let his consciousness gradually fade away.

"The winner, Uzumaki Naruto!"

The entire arena erupted in cheers.

Is there any script more captivating than a weakling staging a desperate comeback?

Everyone loved it far too much.

When Neji regained consciousness in the emergency room, he saw someone sitting by his bedside—someone he never expected.

Hyuga Hiashi.

An enemy he hated to the bone.

Yet, the moment Hiashi saw Neji wake up, he immediately knelt before him.

"There were too many people outside just now, but now, I must apologize to you, Neji."

"Apologize?"

"Yes, Neji. However, I have also come to tell you the truth."

Then, Hiashi began to recount the truth of what happened back then, telling him that it was actually Hizashi who had volunteered to die in his place, and that he himself had lived in regret all these years, and so on...